Skip to main content

Work at Height & Confined SpacesPractitionerCCSE

Certified Confined Space Entry Practitioner

Validates the competence to identify confined spaces, assess specified risks, control entry through permits, atmospheric testing and isolation, and plan effective emergency rescue.

Exam
1 h 30 min
Questions
50
Pass mark
68%
Valid for
3 years

About this certification

Holders can recognise confined spaces and the specified risks they present, including oxygen deficiency or enrichment, toxic and flammable atmospheres, engulfment and heat. They plan entry using a safe system of work and permit-to-work, carry out gas monitoring, isolate energy and materials, and organise rescue arrangements before entry.

Who it is for: Supervisors, entrants, top persons, maintenance teams and health and safety advisers involved in confined space work.

Syllabus

What you'll be assessed on — 6 modules. The percentage is each module's share of the exam.
  1. 01Recognising Confined Spaces15% of the exam
    • Explain the characteristics that define a confined space
    • Identify confined spaces in industrial, utilities and construction settings
  2. 02Specified Risks20% of the exam
    • Analyse hazards from oxygen deficiency or enrichment, toxic gases and flammable atmospheres
    • Explain engulfment, drowning and heat-related risks
  3. 03Avoiding Entry and Planning15% of the exam
    • Evaluate whether work can be done without entry
    • Design a safe system of work for confined space entry
  4. 04Permits, Isolation and Atmospheric Testing25% of the exam
    • Apply permit-to-work and lockout/tagout procedures for isolation
    • Apply gas detector use, bump testing and continuous monitoring
    • Evaluate ventilation and purging arrangements
  5. 05Roles, Communication and Equipment10% of the exam
    • Describe the roles of supervisor, entrant and top person
    • Select respiratory protective equipment and communication methods
  6. 06Emergency and Rescue Arrangements15% of the exam
    • Design rescue arrangements that do not rely solely on emergency services
    • Explain why untrained would-be rescuers are frequently harmed

Competencies assessed

  • Space Identification — Identifies confined spaces and their specified risks.
  • Entry Planning — Plans entry through a safe system of work.
  • Atmospheric Control — Tests and controls atmospheres before and during entry.
  • Isolation — Applies permits and isolation to remove energy and material hazards.
  • Rescue Readiness — Ensures rescue arrangements are in place before entry.

Exam blueprint

Closed-book, timed examination with single-choice, multiple-response and scenario-based questions.
Questions per module50 questions · 1 h 30 min · pass 68%
  • Recognising Confined Spaces8
  • Specified Risks10
  • Avoiding Entry and Planning8
  • Permits, Isolation and Atmospheric Testing12
  • Roles, Communication and Equipment5
  • Emergency and Rescue Arrangements7
Question types
Scenario-based 20% · Single choice 60% · Multiple response 20%
Delivery
Online (remote proctored), Test centre, On-site (corporate)
Retakes
Up to three attempts within any 12-month period. A 14-day waiting period applies after a first unsuccessful attempt and 30 days after a second. Each retake requires a new booking and fee. Retakes draw a different randomised form from the question bank.

Provisional cut score — psychometric validation is required before live delivery. Blueprint v1.0.

Your path to certification

  1. 1

    Register

    Create a free account and start the programme.

  2. 2

    Practice

    Online practice test, 8 questions.

  3. 3

    Training

    Optional

    Online course or classroom — or skip it.

  4. 4

    Certification

    Independent exam and certification decision.

  • Practice test8 questions · 20 min · 70% to pass · free with the programme
  • Confined Space Entry Practitioner — online course21 h self-paced€499

Training is optional and does not by itself confer certification. Find a training partner

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required

  • Minimum 1 year's experience in industrial, utilities or maintenance work involving confined spaces
  • Agreement to abide by the AQSCERT Code of Professional Conduct

Recommended

  • OHS-F or equivalent knowledge

More information

Certification process
  1. 1. Application — Create an account and apply for this certification.
  2. 2. Eligibility review — AQSCERT checks the formal eligibility requirements.
  3. 3. Assessment — Sit the 1 h 30 min examination online or at a test centre.
  4. 4. Independent decision — A decision maker not involved in your training or assessment reviews all evidence.
  5. 5. Issuance — A digitally signed certificate with QR verification, valid for 3 years.
  6. 6. Recertification — Before expiry, evidence 45 hours of CPD or re-sit the examination.
  7. Certificates may be suspended, withdrawn or revoked in line with the Certification Scheme. Status is always shown on the public verification page.
Scheme & accreditation
Certification scheme
Hazard-Specific Safety Certification Scheme
Scheme code
AQS-SCH-22
Scheme version
v1.0 (effective 1 Jan 2026)

Accreditation: AQSCERT is accredited by DA, an IAF MLA signatory, to ISO/IEC 17024. Our programmes are developed by leading experts from industry.

Ready to start CCSE?

Practise online, add optional training, then sit the independent exam.

Related Work at Height & Confined Spaces certifications

  • Practitioner

    CWAH

    Certified Work at Height Safety Practitioner

    Certifies the ability to plan, supervise and review work at height using the avoid–prevent–mitigate hierarchy, correct equipment selection and robust rescue planning.

    Exam duration
    1 h 30 min
    Questions
    50 questions

    Exam fee from

    €345

Certified Confined Space Entry Practitioner (CCSE) · AQSCERT